It’s National Fire Prevention Week, and this year’s theme focuses on smoke alarms.
During National Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 6 to 12, people are encouraged to educate themselves on the importance of having a working smoke alarm in their homes.
Chris Thast with the Nelson Fire Rescue Service says smoke alarms serve as the first line of defence in a home fire, but only if they work.
“They need to be functioning properly in order to protect people. Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association indicate that smoke alarms have been shown to reduce the risk of dying in a house fire by more than 54 per cent, and roughly three out of five deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarm or non-working smoke alarms.”
Thast notes that some people may take smoke alarms for granted and reminds residents that smoke alarm batteries should be checked once a month and replaced if they are older than 10 years.
Additionally, residents need to remember three things: INSTALL, TEST, and REPLACE.
You can help keep your family safer by following these guidelines:
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.
- Ensure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pressing the test button.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or stop responding when tested.
“This week is a great time for the residents of Nelson to review a few key safety tips for their smoke alarms. It’s an excellent opportunity to test your smoke alarms, because like I said, they’re the first line of defense and it can make a difference between getting out of the house safe or not.”
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